how to stay warm when one can't idle?

Are you in a day cab? If your in a sleeper that's just BS and you should find another job.

 

SADLY & UNFORTUNATELY, there are OTR trucking companies that do NOT have any APU's or inverters inside of their sleeper cabs at all.

 

Find another company to work for. It is bs, companies, idle laws or whatever the reason, you have to be comfortable to rest and more importantly you can't freeze in a truck. You could get a little 12v heater but you risk running batteries down after extended use. In addition I don't think one 12v would heat the whole truck comfortably. If they expect you not to idle then the company should provide you with another option to keep comfortable, be it an APU or bunk heater. Some companies could care less and that's very said.

 

I carry a decent -20 sleeping bag, not a mummy type, that I can unzip and use as a comforter. That and a few extra blankets and I can sleep ok in subzero weather.
If you are in really cold weather you've got other issues with the engine and batteries.

You need to be carrying cold weather stuff anyway, in case the truck dies or you get stuck somewhere cold for days.
Even with a diesel fired bunk heater, you need to idle enough to keep your batteries charged.
There's nothing worse than being stuck somewhere with a dead truck, no heat, no lights, and freezing your arse off, waiting for help.

 

Hey its 4 degrees outside and your freezing but company policy states NO IDLING. So I guess you have to die then.

Why the #### would you work for someone that doesn't care that you are a human being and have a basic need of heat so you can perform your job which in turn makes them money.

I do not believe that heat is a company benefit only given out if the company sees fit. State laws dictate that prisoners are to be given a certain level of heat when it is cold in order to not be guilty of prisoner abuse. You on the other hand are there on your own free will. It is only November. It will be cold until March. Get with a real company and get self respect.

 

Don't most states make exceptions if it gets below a certain temp?

 

Yes but it's not enough especially in the summer. It can be 70 outside and get way over 100 in the cab.